Cooling and Heating Massager

ABSTRACT

A system to provide physical therapy in the form of heating, cooling and/or percussion, comprising: a device that contains a battery, a motor, and a switch to turn the device on or off or put the device in heating mode or put the device in cooling mode or put the device in percussion mode; wherein the device contains a motor and a pushing rod that supply the movement that results in percussion of a removable heating/cooling attachment and a removable percussion attachment; wherein the front of the device connects to the removable heating/cooling attachment that contains an electronic component to control heating or cooling and a cooling fan; wherein the removable heating/cooling attachment can be used for heating or cooling; wherein a housing shell for the heating/cooling attachment is made of plastic, foam, or metal, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal; wherein the front part of the heating/cooling attachment is made of metal that has the capability to be in contact with human skin in order to provide either heating or cooling at fixed or adjusted degrees that are optimal for physical therapy and/or blood circulation; wherein the removable heating/cooling attachment can be replaced by the removable percussion attachment that is used for percussion; wherein the removable percussion attachment can be placed on the skin of a user in order to provide percussion at fixed or adjusted speeds that are optimal for physical therapy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. No.16/675,718, titled PHYSICAL THERAPY DEVICE WITH PERCUSSION, COOLING, ANDHEATING, filed on Nov. 6, 2019, which application is incorporated hereinin its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a massage node having a heating and coolingfeatures, and in particular a massage node having heating and coolingfeatures for use with a percussion massager.

BACKGROUND

There are several massage products in which a motor is part of ahandheld device in the shape of a gun. There are also several productsthat provide heating or cooling feelings utilizing electric power. Someof these devices specifically target the health of human beings, such asa deep muscle stimulation device. There are also electric massagedevices, some of which limit their speeds to certain frequencies.

There are also homemade jigsaw devices that use percussion; theseinvolve off the shelf components that are not particularly suited to thepurpose of massaging. These devices are also not measured to exactspecifications. These homemade devices can also involve components thatare not meant to be anywhere near human skin, and so are particularlydangerous. Some of these devices utilize golf balls or other sphericalobjects that likely will not be comfortable on human skin, and of coursewas never intended to touch human skin with force.

The background description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any ofthe information provided herein is prior art or relevant to thepresently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced is prior art.

All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to thesame extent as if each individual publication or patent application werespecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference isinconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein,the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definitionof that term in the reference does not apply. The following descriptionincludes information that may be useful in understanding the presentinvention. It is not an admission that any of the information providedherein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, orthat any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth,used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are tobe understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.”

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth inthe written description and attached claims are approximations that canvary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by aparticular embodiment.

In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed inlight of the number of reported significant digits and by applyingordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical rangesand parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of theinvention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in thespecific examples are reported as precisely as practicable.

The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention maycontain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviationfound in their respective testing measurements.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “a”, “an” and “the” includes plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the descriptionherein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve asa shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g. “Such as”) provided with respectto certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminatethe invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theinvention otherwise claimed.

No language in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. One ormore members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the groupas modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides the unique combination of either heatingor cooling along with percussion. This combination can accelerate theblood circulation and even recovery for people with pain. It is a uniquecombination because previously only temperate based devices orpercussion based devices existed separately, however the presentinvention combines them, and adds other refinements as well, making itunique. The present invention allows for variations in intensity atoptimal speeds for percussion and optimal temperatures for eitherheating or cooling.

Moreover, the motor innovatively located in the head housing shell ofthe present invention can shorten the connection of the motor to thepushing rod that constantly moves back and forth to provide percussion.Therefore, the present invention can potentially reduce use of parts andtheir length between the motor and the pushing rod, and reduce theamount of noise emitted into the workplace or environment from themechanical connection between the motor and the pushing rod.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 displays one embodiment of the exterior of the present inventionfrom an oblique side view.

FIG. 2 displays another embodiment of the exterior of the presentinvention, this time from a rear oblique view as compared to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 displays another embodiment of the exterior of the presentinvention. This is a top view at a slightly oblique angle of thephysical therapy device, based on the axis seen in the lower left of thefigure.

FIG. 4 displays another embodiment of the exterior of the presentinvention, this time from a side view.

FIG. 5 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Here, theswitch of the present invention is examined in the various differentstates of the switch.

FIG. 6 displays another embodiment of the present invention. After theswitch is moved to the percussion mode, the adjustment dial can be usedto change intensity levels of percussion. Here, the adjustment dial isshown as it turns through the various intensity levels.

FIG. 7 displays another embodiment of the present invention. After theswitch is moved to the cooling mode, the adjustment dial can be used tochange intensity levels of cooling. Here, the adjustment dial is shownas it turns through the various intensity levels.

FIG. 8 displays another embodiment of the present invention. After theswitch is moved to heating mode, the adjustment dial can be used tochange intensity levels of heating. Here, the adjustment dial is shownas it turns through the various intensity levels.

FIG. 9 displays another embodiment of the present invention withdifferent attachments for the front piece.

FIG. 10 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Theexterior of the removable battery 1001 can be removed from the rest ofthe invention by detaching it from the bottom.

FIG. 11 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is asectional view of the physical therapy device at a side angle.

FIG. 12 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is asectional view of the physical therapy device at an oblique angle basedon the axis seen in the lower left of the figure.

FIG. 13 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is asectional view of the physical therapy device at an oblique angle basedon the axis seen in the lower left of the figure.

FIG. 14 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is asectional view of the physical therapy device in which the front angleof the head housing shell has been adjusted upward.

FIG. 15 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is asectional view of the physical therapy device in which the front angleof the head housing shell has been adjusted downward.

FIG. 16 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is adisplay of all the internal parts of the physical therapy device.

FIG. 17 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Here, theinternal parts of the invention that allow the head housing shell torotate up or down are displayed.

FIG. 18 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is adisplay of all the internal parts of the physical therapy device.

FIG. 19 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This showsdifferent views of the heating/cooling attachment that is attached anddetached to the physical therapy device.

FIG. 20 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This showsdifferent views of the heating/cooling attachment with lock pins, so thelock pins can further secure the connection between the heating/coolingattachment and the device.

FIG. 21 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This showslock slots in the device and lock pins on the heating/coolingattachment, so the heating/cooling attachment can be secured in place.

FIG. 22 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This showslock slots in the device and lock pins on each percussion attachment, soeach percussion attachment can be secured in place.

FIG. 23 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Here, thephysical therapy device is shown in a disassembled view, so eachinternal part can be seen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1

FIG. 1 displays one embodiment of the exterior of the present inventionfrom an oblique side view. The front semi-spherical or spherical part isalso shown separated from the rest of the device.

Heating/Cooling attachment 101 is seen separated from the rest of theinvention, because it can be removed and reattached, i.e. it isreattachable. The head of the heating/cooling attachment can be of thesemi-spherical shape or other shapes.

Percussion attachment 102 is seen as a separate part from the rest ofthe invention, because it can be removed and reattached, i.e. it isreattachable. The head of the percussion attachment can be of theexisting spherical shape or other shapes.

FIG. 2

FIG. 2 displays another embodiment of the exterior of the presentinvention, this time from a rear oblique view as compared to FIG. 1 .

The rear display 201 is where certain information about the variousmodes of the invention is displayed. The rear display 201 is in color,and turns on when the invention turns on.

The switch 202 is how the invention is turned on or off, as well asturned from one mode to the next, where the modes consist of percussion,cooling and heating.

The adjustment dial 203 allows for changes in intensity when theinvention is in either percussion, cooling or heating mode.

FIG. 3

FIG. 3 displays another embodiment of the exterior of the presentinvention. This is a top view at a slightly oblique angle of thephysical therapy device, based on the axis seen in the lower left of thefigure.

FIG. 4

FIG. 4 displays another embodiment of the exterior of the presentinvention, this time from a side view. The front semi-spherical orspherical part is also shown separated from the rest of the device.

FIG. 5

FIG. 5 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Here, theswitch of the present invention is examined in the various differentstates of the switch.

When the switch is entirely to the right, then the invention is off.When the switch moves slightly to the left, the invention enters thepercussion mode. When the switch moves slightly more to the left, theinvention enters the cooling mode. When the switch moves slightly moreto the left, such that the switch is all the way to the left, theinvention enters the heating mode.

Upon each different mode, the relevant icon will appear and/or flash onthe rear display. So when the percussion mode is selected, thepercussion icon will appear and/or flash on the rear display. When thecooling mode is selected, the cooling icon will appear and/or flash onthe rear display. When the heating mode is selected, the heating iconwill appear and/or flash on the rear display.

The percussion icon is white in color, and is shaped like a circle witha stick pointing out at the top, all filled with white, and where thebottom of the circle is surrounded by a few white lines in a horizontaloval shape.

The cooling icon is a blue snowflake.

The heating icon is a red sun.

FIG. 6

FIG. 6 displays another embodiment of the present invention. After theswitch is moved to the percussion mode, the adjustment dial can be usedto change intensity levels of percussion. Here, the adjustment dial isshown as it turns through the various intensity levels. It starts atlevel 1, in which the rear display shows 01. Level 1 corresponds to 900rpm or 15 Hz. At level 2, the rear display shows 02. Level 2 correspondsto 1200 rpm or 20 Hz. At level 3, the rear display shows 03. Level 3corresponds to 1800 rpm or 30 Hz. At level 4, the rear display shows 04.Level 4 corresponds to 2400 rpm or 40 Hz. At level 5, the rear displayshows 05. Level 5 corresponds to 3300 rpm or 55 Hz. At level 6, the reardisplay shows 06. Level 6 corresponds to 3900 rpm or 65 Hz. At level 7,the rear display shows 07. Level 7 corresponds to 4500 rpm or 75 Hz. Atlevel 8, the rear display shows 08. Level 8 corresponds to 5100 rpm or85 Hz. At level 9, the rear display shows 09. Level 9 corresponds to5700 rpm or 95 Hz. At level 10, the rear display shows 10. Level 10corresponds to 6000 rpm or 100 Hz.

FIG. 7

FIG. 7 displays another embodiment of the present invention. After theswitch is moved to the cooling mode, the adjustment dial can be used tochange intensity levels of cooling. Here, the adjustment dial is shownas it turns through the various intensity levels. It starts at level 1,in which the rear display shows 01. Level 1 corresponds to 6 degreesCelsius. At level 2, the rear display shows 02. Level 2 corresponds to 5degrees Celsius. At level 3, the rear display shows 03. Level 3corresponds to 4 degrees Celsius. At level 4, the rear display shows 04.Level 4 corresponds to 3 degrees Celsius. At level 5, the rear displayshows 05. Level 5 corresponds to 2 degrees Celsius.

2 degrees Celsius is the lowest temperature that should be directlyapplied to the skin. Any lower than that, and a user should wearclothing between the invention and the user's skin. At level 6, the reardisplay shows 06. Level 6 corresponds to 1 degree Celsius. At level 7,the rear display shows 07. Level 7 corresponds to 0 degrees Celsius.

The cooling mode also has a fixed or adjusted percussion rate. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the cooling mode's fixed percussionrate is 1200 rpm or 20 Hz.

FIG. 8

FIG. 8 displays another embodiment of the present invention. After theswitch is moved to the heating mode, the adjustment dial can be used tochange intensity levels of heating. Here, the adjustment dial is shownas it turns through the various intensity levels. It starts at level 1,in which the rear display shows 01. Level 1 corresponds to 40 degreesCelsius. At level 2, the rear display shows 02. Level 2 corresponds to41 degrees Celsius. At level 3, the rear display shows 03. Level 3corresponds to 42 degrees Celsius. At level 4, the rear display shows04. Level 4 corresponds to 43 degrees Celsius. At level 5, the reardisplay shows 05. Level 5 corresponds to 44 degrees Celsius.

45 degrees Celsius is the highest temperature that should be directlyapplied to the skin. Any higher than that, and a user should wearclothing between the invention and the user's skin. Levels 6-36 continueto increase by increments of 1 degree Celsius per level, just likelevels 1-5 where the increment was 1 degree Celsius per level. At level6, the rear display shows 06. Level 6 corresponds to 45 degrees Celsius.At level 7, the rear display shows 07. Level 7 corresponds to 46 degreeCelsius. At level 8, the rear display shows 08. Level 8 corresponds to47 degrees Celsius. At level 9, the rear display shows 09. Level 9corresponds to 48 degrees Celsius. This continues level by level, degreeby degree, until reaching level 36, where the rear display shows 36.Level 36 corresponds to 75 degrees Celsius.

The heating mode also has a fixed or adjusted percussion rate. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the heating mode's fixed percussionrate is 1200 rpm or 20 Hz.

FIG. 9

FIG. 9 displays another embodiment of the present invention withdifferent attachments for the front piece. For percussion mode purposes,there is a percussion attachment as the front piece, which can be madeof plastic, foam, metal, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal.For cooling or heating mode purposes, there is a heating/coolingattachment as the front piece. The housing shell for the heating/coolingattachment is made of plastic, foam, or metal, or any combination ofplastic, foam and metal. The front part of the heating/coolingattachment is made of metal that has the capability to be in contactwith human skin.

FIG. 10

FIG. 10 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Theexterior of the removable battery 1001 can be removed from the rest ofthe invention by detaching it from the bottom. Removable battery 1002can also be removed from the rest of the invention by detaching it fromthe bottom. The front piece 1005 can also be removed from the rest ofthe invention, and can be seen as removed in the front piece 1006. Themain housing shell of the device 1003 is part of an exterior view of theinvention. The main housing shell of the device 1004 is part of aninternal view of the invention such that various parts and internaldevices are visible. The motor 1007 is in the head housing shell 1008,instead of the main housing shell 1004. Therefore, the present inventioncan shorten the connection between the motor 1007 and the front piece1006.

FIG. 11

FIG. 11 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is asectional view of the physical therapy device at a side angle.

FIG. 12

FIG. 12 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is asectional view of the physical therapy device at an oblique angle basedon the axis seen in the lower left of the figure.

FIG. 13

FIG. 13 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is asectional view of the physical therapy device at an oblique angle basedon the axis seen in the lower left of the figure.

FIG. 14

FIG. 14 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is asectional view of the physical therapy device in which the front angleof the head housing shell has been adjusted upward. The motor is in thehead housing shell, instead of the main housing shell. Therefore, thewhole head housing shell, instead of part of it, can be adjusted upward.

FIG. 15

FIG. 15 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This is asectional view of the physical therapy device in which the front angleof the head housing shell has been adjusted downward. The motor is inthe head housing shell, instead of the main housing shell. Therefore,the whole head housing shell, instead of part of it, can be adjusteddownward.

FIG. 16

FIG. 16 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Display 1is where information is displayed relevant to the mode and intensitythat the user has set the device to. Knob for intensity adjustment 2 iswhere the intensity can be changed, either for percussion, cooling orheating purposes. On/off switch for percussion, cooling and heating 3 isused to switch the device on or off, as well as to change between the 3different modes: percussion, cooling and heating. Button for head angleadjustment 4 allows the front piece to be adjusted at either an upwardor downward angle. Battery 5 is what powers the invention, and isremovable if necessary. Battery charging port 6 is where a plug can beinserted in order to charge the battery, and the battery can also beremoved and charged in a separate charging station. IC (integratedcircuit) board for the intensity adjustment 7 is the electronic circuitboard that controls the adjustments of intensity for 3 different modepurposes: percussion, cooling and heating. IC board for the motorcontrol 8 is the electronic circuit board that controls the motion ofthe invention in the various modes, such that it vibrates at the correctintensity/speed. Main housing shell 9 is the body cover that containsthe different parts of the invention, except for the battery 5 becauseit is removable, the head housing shell 16, the heating/coolingattachment 20 and the percussion attachment 21. Motor 10 is whatprovides the driving force to perform the percussion of the invention.

Eccentric wheel 11 is a circular disk solidly fixed to the rotating axleof Motor 10. The axle on the other side of the eccentric wheel 11 is offthe center, and connects to the connecting rod 12. The connecting rod 12connects to the pushing rod 13, so the motor 10 can provide thepercussion force to the pushing rod 13. The Pushing rod 13 makes a backand forth percussion.

Bushing 14 is used to provide the supportive direction and evencushion/protection to the pushing rod 13. Since the pushing rod 13 isconstantly moving back and forth to provide percussion, the pushing rod13 needs a supportive direction and even cushion/protection from damageand wear and tear. As such, the bushing 14 is able to provide asupportive direction and even cushion/protection that helps to directand preserve the pushing rod 13.

Contact slot for heating/cooling 15 is where Heating/Cooling attachment20 connects to the invention through conductive contact for theheating/cooling attachment 22. Therefore, the invention could providethe power to the Heating/Cooling attachment 20 for heating/cooling.

Head housing shell 16 contains all the parts that are within the head ofthe invention. The head housing shell 16 also has the capability toadjust its front angle upwards or downwards. This can be helpful for auser's comfort in case the user has difficulty in moving in certainways. The motor 10 is in the head housing shell 16, instead of the mainhousing shell 9. Therefore, the whole head housing shell 16, instead ofpart of it, can be adjusted upward or downward. Moreover, the motor 10located in the head housing shell 16 can shorten the connection of motor10 to the pushing rod 13 that constantly moves back and forth to providepercussion to the heating/cooling attachment 20 or the percussionattachment 21. Therefore, the present invention can potentially reduceuse of parts and their length between the motor 10 and the pushing rod13, and reduce the amount of noise emitted into the workplace orenvironment from the mechanical connection between the motor 10 and thepushing rod 13.

Housing shell for heating/cooling attachment 17 contains all the partsof the Heating/Cooling attachment 20.

Cooling vent/fan 18 provides the cooling function that is activated inthe cooling mode of the invention.

Heating/Cooling component 19 is an integrated circuit of aheating/cooling semiconductor and related elements to control thefunctioning and intensity of the heating mode and cooling mode, based onthe user's adjustments on the knob for intensity adjustment 2.

Heating/Cooling attachment 20 is seen separated from the rest of theinvention, and could be fastened to the invention through fasteningcontact for the heating/cooling attachment 23, because it can be removedand reattached, i.e. it is reattachable. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the heating/cooling attachment 20 is in the shape ofa semi-sphere or other shapes.

The housing shell for the heating/cooling attachment 17 is made ofplastic, foam, or metal, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal.The front part of the heating/cooling attachment 20 is made of metalthat has the capability to be in contact with human skin.

Percussion attachment 21 is seen as a separate part from the rest of theinvention, and could be fastened to the invention through fasteningcontact for the percussion attachment 24, because it can be removed andreattached, i.e. it is reattachable. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the percussion attachment 21 is made of plastic, foam,mental, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, the percussion attachment 21 is inthe shape of a sphere or other shapes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, before a user can usethe present invention, the user needs to install the battery 5 onto thebottom of the device. If needed, the user could charge the battery 5through the charging port 6 or in the separate charging station. Then,the user should attach the percussion attachment 21 onto the front ofthe device through the fastening contact 24. Except for the percussionattachment 21 and the battery 5, the remaining parts/components aremounted inside the main housing shell 9 and the head housing shell 16.

Also, the user could use the button 4 to adjust the angle of the head ofthe device for his/her preference. After switching the On/off switch forpercussion, cooling and heating 3 to the Percussion position, the deviceis turned on and is at the Percussion mode, which is reflected on thedisplay 1. The user could use the knob for intensity adjustment 2 toadjust the percussion intensity/speed to a desired intensity/speed thatis connected to the IC board for the intensity adjustment 7.

Afterward, the user could place the percussion attachment 21 onto theuser's skin for the percussion. The back and forth percussion of thepercussion attachment 21 is realized by the pushing rod 13. The bushing14 supportively directs and protects the pushing rod 13. The pushing rod13 is connected to the motor 10 through the connecting rod 12 and theeccentric wheel 11. The IC board for the motor control 8 will convertthe power of the battery 5 to the motor 10. Therefore, the user couldfeel the back and forth percussion on the user's skin from the device.

In addition to the percussion alone, the user could experience theheating/cooling from the device: before use, the user needs to installthe battery 5 onto the bottom of the device (if needed, the user couldcharge the battery through the charging port 6 or in the separatecharging station), and attach the heating/cooling attachment 20 onto thefront of the device through the fastening contact 23 and the conductivecontact for the heating/cooling attachment 22 that is inserted into thecontact slot for heating/cooling 15. Except for the heating/coolingattachment 20 and the battery 5, the remaining parts/components aremounted inside the main housing shell 9 and the head housing shell 16.The cooling vent/fan 18 and the heating/cooling component 19 are mountedinto the housing shell for the heating/cooling attachment 17. Also, theuser could use the button 4 to adjust the angle of the head of thedevice for his/her preference. After switching the on/off switch 3 tothe heating or cooling position, the device is turned on and is in theheating or cooling mode, which is reflected on the display 1. The usercould use the knob for intensity adjustment 2 to adjust the heating orcooling temperature to a desired temperature that is connected to the ICboard for the intensity adjustment 7.

Afterward, the user could place the heating/cooling attachment 20 ontothe user's skin for heating or cooling, and the default percussion inthe heating/cooling mode is 1200 rpm (20 Hz). The back and forthpercussion of the heating/cooling attachment 20 is realized by thepushing rod 13. The bushing 14 supportively directs and protects thepushing rod 13. The pushing rod 13 is connected to the motor 10 throughthe connecting rod 12 and the eccentric wheel 11. The IC board for themotor control 8 will convert the power of the battery 5 to the motor 10.Therefore, the user could feel the heating or cooling together with theback and forth percussion on the user's skin from the device.

FIG. 17

FIG. 17 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Here, theinternal parts of the invention that allow the whole head housing shellto rotate up or down are displayed. Lock pin 1701 locks the head housingshell into one of the three lock slots 1702, 1703 and 1704. Lock slot1702 allows the head housing shell to face directly forward, at ahorizontal angle of 0 degrees. Lock slot 1703 allows the head housingshell to face upward-left at a 40-45 degree angle positivelyhorizontally. Lock slot 1704 allows the head housing shell to facedownward-left at a 40-45 degree angle negatively horizontally.

FIG. 18

FIG. 18 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Display 1is where information is displayed relevant to the mode and intensitythat the user has set the device to. Knob for intensity adjustment 2 iswhere the intensity can be changed, either for percussion, cooling orheating purposes. On/off switch for percussion, cooling and heating 3 isused to switch the device on or off, as well as to change between the 3different modes: percussion, cooling and heating. Button for head angleadjustment 4 allows the front piece to be adjusted at either an upwardor downward angle. Battery 5 is what powers the invention, and isremovable if necessary. Battery charging port 6 is where a plug can beinserted in order to charge the battery. IC board for the intensityadjustment and motor control 7+8 is the combination of the following twoelectronic circuit boards: A circuit board that controls the adjustmentsof intensity for 3 different purposes: percussion, cooling and heating,and a circuit board that controls the motion of the invention in thevarious modes, such that it vibrates at the correct intensity/speed.Main housing shell 9 is the body that contains the different parts ofthe invention, except for the battery 5 because it is removable, thehead housing shell 16, the heating/cooling attachment 20 and thepercussion attachment 21. Motor 10 is what provides the driving force toperform the percussion of the invention. Eccentric wheel 11 is acircular disk solidly fixed to the rotating axle of Motor 10. The axleon the other side of the eccentric wheel 11 is off the center, andconnects to the connecting rod 12. The connecting rod 12 connects to thepushing rod 13, so the motor can provide the percussion force to thepushing rod 13. The pushing rod 13 makes a back and forth percussion.

The bushing 14 is used to provide the supportive direction and evencushion/protection to the pushing rod 13. Since the pushing rod 13 isconstantly moving back and forth to provide percussion, the pushing rod13 needs a supportive direction and even cushion/protection from damageand wear and tear. As such, the bushing 14 is able to provide asupportive direction and even cushion/protection that helps to directand preserve the pushing rod 13.

Contact slot for heating/cooling 15 is where the Heating/Coolingattachment 20 connects to the invention through conductive contact forthe heating/cooling attachment 22. Therefore, the invention couldprovide the power to the Heating/Cooling attachment 20 forheating/cooling.

Head housing shell 16 contains all the parts that are within the head ofthe invention. The head housing shell 16 also has the capability toadjust its front angle upwards or downwards. This can be helpful for auser's comfort in case the user has difficulty in moving in certainways. The motor 10 is in the head housing shell 16, instead of the mainhousing shell 9. Therefore, the whole head housing shell 16, instead ofpart of it, can be adjusted upward or downward. Moreover, the motor 10located in the head housing shell 16 can shorten the connection of motor10 to the pushing rod 13 that constantly moves back and forth to providepercussion to the heating/cooling attachment 20 or the percussionattachment 21. Therefore, the present invention can potentially reduceuse of parts and their length between the motor 10 and the pushing rod13, and reduce the amount of noise emitted into the workplace orenvironment from the mechanical connection between the motor 10 and thepushing rod 13.

Housing shell for heating/cooling attachment 17 contains all the partsof the Heating/Cooling attachment 20.

Cooling vent/fan 18 provides the cooling function that is activated inthe cooling mode of the invention.

Heating/Cooling component 19 is an integrated circuit of aheating/cooling semiconductor and related elements to control thefunctioning and intensity of heating mode and cooling mode, based on theuser's adjustments on the knob for intensity adjustment 2.

Heating/Cooling attachment 20 is seen separated from the rest of theinvention, and could be fastened to the invention through the fasteningcontact for the heating/cooling attachment 23, because it can be removedand reattached, i.e. it is reattachable. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the heating/cooling attachment 20 is in the shape ofa semi-sphere or other shapes.

The housing shell for the heating/cooling attachment 17 is made ofplastic, foam, or metal, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal.The front part of the heating/cooling attachment 20 is made of metalthat has the capability to be in contact with human skin.

Percussion attachment 21 is seen as a separate part from the rest of theinvention, and could be fastened to the invention through the fasteningcontact for the percussion attachment 24, because it can be removed andreattached, i.e. it is reattachable. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the percussion attachment is made of plastic, foam, mental,or any combination of plastic, foam and metal. In another embodiment ofthe present invention, the percussion attachment is in the shape of asphere or other shapes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, before a user can usethe present invention, the user needs to install the battery 5 onto thebottom of the device. If needed, the user could charge the battery 5through the charging port 6 or in the separate charging station. Then,the user should attach the percussion attachment 21 onto the front ofthe device through the fastening contact 24. Except for the percussionattachment 21 and the battery 5, the remaining parts/components aremounted inside the main housing shell 9 and the head housing shell 16.

Also, the user could use the button 4 to adjust the angle of the head ofthe device for his/her preference. After switching the On/off switch forpercussion, cooling and heating 3 to the percussion position, the deviceis turned on and is at the percussion mode, which is reflected on thedisplay 1. The user could use the knob for intensity adjustment 2 toadjust the percussion intensity/speed to a desired intensity/speed thatis connected to the IC board for the intensity adjustment and motorcontrol 7+8.

Afterward, the user could place the percussion attachment 21 onto theuser's skin for the percussion. The back and forth percussion of thepercussion attachment 21 is realized by the pushing rod 13. The bushing14 supportively directs and protects the pushing rod 13. The pushing rod13 is connected to the motor 10 through the connecting rod 12 and theeccentric wheel 11. The IC board for the intensity adjustment and motorcontrol 7+8 will convert the power of the battery 5 to the motor 10.Therefore, the user could feel the back and forth percussion on theuser's skin from the device.

In addition to the percussion alone, the user could experience theheating/cooling from the device: before use, the user needs to installthe battery 5 onto the bottom of the device (if needed, the user couldcharge the battery through the charging port 6 or in the separatecharging station), and attach the heating/cooling attachment 20 onto thefront of the device through the fastening contact for theheating/cooling attachment 23 and the conductive contact for theheating/cooling attachment 22 that is inserted into the contact slot forheating/cooling 15. Except for the heating/cooling attachment 20 and thebattery 5, the remaining parts/components are mounted inside the mainhousing shell 9 and the head housing shell 16. The cooling vent/fan 18and the heating/cooling component 19 are mounted into the housing shellfor heating/cooling attachment 17. Also, the user could use the button 4to adjust the angle of the head of the device for his/her preference.After switching the on/off switch 3 to the heating or cooling position,the device is turned on and is in the heating or cooling mode, which isreflected on the display 1. The user could use the knob for intensityadjustment 2 to adjust the heating or cooling temperature to a desiredtemperature that is connected to the IC board for the intensityadjustment and motor control 7+8.

Afterward, the user could place the heating/cooling attachment 20 ontothe user's skin for heating or cooling, and the default percussion inthe heating/cooling mode is 1200 rpm (20 Hz). The back and forthpercussion of the heating/cooling attachment 20 is realized by thepushing rod 13. The bushing 14 supportively directs and protects thepushing rod 13. The pushing rod 13 is connected to the motor 10 throughthe connecting rod 12 and the eccentric wheel 11. The IC board for theintensity adjustment and motor control 7+8 will convert the power of thebattery 5 to the motor 10. Therefore, the user could feel the heating orcooling together with the back and forth percussion on the user's skinfrom the device.

FIG. 19

FIG. 19 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This showsdifferent views of the heating/cooling attachment that is attached anddetached to the physical therapy device.

FIG. 20

FIG. 20 displays another embodiment of the present invention. This showsdifferent views of the heating/cooling attachment with lock pins 2001and 2002 on its both sides, so the lock pins can secure the connectionbetween the heating/cooling attachment and the device.

FIG. 21

FIG. 21 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Here,there are a lock slot 2101 and a lock slot 2103, which are respectivelyin the left side and the right side of the head housing shell of thephysical therapy device. There are also a lock pin 2102 and a lock pin2104, which are respectively on the left side and the right side of theheating/cooling attachment. The lock pins 2102 and 2104 connect to thelock slots 2101 and 2103, respectively, so the connection is securedbetween the heating/cooling attachment and the device.

The physical therapy device moves in a back and forth percussion at ahigh speed. As such, it is useful to add the lock slot and lock pinbetween the physical therapy device and the heating/cooling attachment.Therefore, the heating/cooling attachment can remain in place during thehigh-speed percussion, which is critical for the user's safety.

FIG. 22

FIG. 22 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Here,there are a lock slot 2201 and a lock slot 2206, which are respectivelyin the left side and the right side of the head housing shell of thephysical therapy device. Also, there are a lock pin 2202 and a lock pin2207, which are respectively on the left side and the right side of thepercussion attachment; there are a lock pin 2203 and a lock pin 2208,which are respectively on the left side and the right side of the firstalternative percussion attachment; there are a lock pin 2204 and a lockpin 2209, which are respectively on the left side and the right side ofthe second alternative percussion attachment; there are a lock pin 2205and a lock pin 2210, which are respectively on the left side and theright side of the third alternative percussion attachment.

The physical therapy device moves in a back and forth percussion at avery high speed when connected to the percussion attachment. As such, itis useful to add the lock slot and lock pin between the physical therapydevice and the percussion attachment. Therefore, the percussionattachment can remain in place during the high-speed percussion, whichis critical for the user's safety. This is a unique configuration thatprovides more stability than anything else on the market.

FIG. 23

FIG. 23 displays another embodiment of the present invention. Here thephysical therapy device is shown in a disassembled view, so eachinternal part can be seen.

The parts include Lower shell of the heating/cooling attachment 2301,Metal contact to skin 2302, Temperature sensor 2303, Heating/coolingsemiconductor 2304, Heat sink 2305, Vent/fan 2306, Vent/fan stand 2307,Screws 2308, Upper shell of the heating/cooling attachment 2309 with orwithout the lock pin 2310, Screws 2311, Plugin pin piece 2312, Fasteningring of the main housing shell 2313, Bushing cushion 2314, Bushing 2315,Pushing rod 2316, Plugin jack piece 2317, Contact slice 2318, Carbonbrush 2319, Carbon brush stand 2320. Minor bearing 2321, Motor 2322,Eccentric wheel 2323, Connecting rod 2324, Major bearing 2325, Upperhead housing shell 2326, Positioning cap of the head housing shell 2327,Lower head housing shell 2328, Screws 2329, Contact slice of battery2330, Screws 2331, Upper shell of battery 2332, Battery 2333, Lowershell of battery 2334, Button for head angle adjustment 2335, Upper mainhousing shell 2336, On/Off switch for percussion, cooling, and heating2337, Battery charging port 2338, Lock pin for head angle adjustment2339, Lock pin spring for head angle adjustment 2340, Conductive contactfor contact slice of battery 2341, Lock button for battery 2342, Lockspring for battery 2343, Contact for percussion, cooling, and heating2344, IC board for the intensity adjustment and motor control 2345,Screws 2346, Lower main housing shell 2347, Direction gear of knob forintensity adjustment 2348, Screw 2349, Transmission gear of knob forintensity adjustment 2350, Rotation gear of knob for intensityadjustment 2351, Gear stand of knob for intensity adjustment 2352,Screws 2353, Coding IC board 2354, Display 2355, Display glass 2356,Knob for intensity adjustment 2357, the percussion attachment 2358, thefirst alternative percussion attachment 2359, the second alternativepercussion attachment 2360, and the third alternative percussionattachment 2361.

All of these parts fit together as seen in FIG. 23 .

A system to provide physical therapy in the form of heating, coolingand/or percussion, comprising: a device that contains a battery, amotor, a knob for adjustment of speed or intensity, a button for angleadjustment of the front of the device, and a switch to turn the deviceon or off or put the device in heating mode or put the device in coolingmode or put the device in percussion mode; wherein the device contains amotor and a pushing rod that supply the movement that results inpercussion of a removable heating/cooling attachment and a removablepercussion attachment; wherein the front of the device connects to theremovable heating/cooling attachment that contains an electroniccomponent to control heating or cooling and a cooling fan; wherein theremovable heating/cooling attachment can be used for heating or cooling;wherein a housing shell for the heating/cooling attachment is made ofplastic, foam, or metal, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal;wherein the front part of the heating/cooling attachment is made ofmetal that has the capability to be in contact with human skin in orderto provide either heating or cooling at fixed or adjusted degrees thatare optimal for physical therapy and/or blood circulation; wherein theremovable heating/cooling attachment can be replaced by the removablepercussion attachment that is used for percussion; wherein the removablepercussion attachment can be placed on the skin of a user in order toprovide percussion massage therapy at fixed or adjusted speeds that areoptimal for physical therapy.

The system further comprising: wherein the device contains a removablebattery on the bottom of the device; wherein the device contains a knobfor adjustment of speed or intensity, and a button for angle adjustmentof the front of the device.

The system further comprising: wherein the removable heating/coolingattachment provides cooling at the fixed or adjusted temperatures of 6degrees Celsius, 5 degrees Celsius, 4 degrees Celsius, 3 degreesCelsius, and 2 degrees Celsius.

The system further comprising: wherein the removable heating/coolingattachment also provides cooling through the clothing of the user at thefixed or adjusted temperatures of 1 degree Celsius, and 0 degreesCelsius.

The system further comprising: wherein the removable heating/coolingattachment provides heating at the fixed or adjusted degrees of 40degrees Celsius, 41 degrees Celsius, 42 degrees Celsius, 43 degreesCelsius, and 44 degrees Celsius.

The system further comprising: wherein the removable heating/coolingattachment also provides heating through the clothing of the user at thefixed or adjusted temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius through 75 degreesCelsius at 1 degree increments.

The system further comprising: wherein the removable percussionattachment provides percussion at the fixed or adjusted speeds of 1200rpm or 20 Hz, 1800 rpm or 30 Hz, 2400 rpm or 40 Hz, 3300 rpm or 55 Hz,3900 rpm or 65 Hz.

The system further comprising: wherein the removable percussionattachment also provides percussion at the fixed or adjusted speeds of900 rpm or 15 Hz, 4500 rpm or 75 Hz, 5100 rpm or 85 Hz, 5700 rpm or 95Hz, and 6000 rpm or 100 Hz.

The system further comprising: wherein the removable percussionattachment is made of plastic, foam, or metal or of any combination ofplastic, foam and metal.

The system further comprising: wherein the device contains a removablebattery on the bottom of the device; wherein the removableheating/cooling attachment provides cooling at the fixed or adjusteddegrees of 6 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees Celsius, 4 degrees Celsius, 3degrees Celsius, and 2 degrees Celsius; wherein the removableheating/cooling attachment also provides cooling through the clothing ofthe user at the fixed or adjusted temperatures of 1 degree Celsius, and0 degrees Celsius; wherein the removable heating/cooling attachmentprovides heating at the fixed or adjusted degrees of 40 degrees Celsius,41 degrees Celsius, 42 degrees Celsius, 43 degrees Celsius, and 44degrees Celsius; wherein the removable heating/cooling attachment alsoprovides heating through the clothing of the user at the fixed oradjusted temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius through 75 degrees Celsiusat 1 degree increments; wherein the removable percussion attachmentprovides percussion at the fixed or adjusted speeds of 1200 rpm or 20Hz, 1800 rpm or 30 Hz, 2400 rpm or 40 Hz, 3300 rpm or 55 Hz, 3900 rpm or65 Hz; wherein the removable percussion attachment also providespercussion at the fixed or adjusted speeds of 900 rpm or 15 Hz, 4500 rpmor 75 Hz, 5100 rpm or 85 Hz, 5700 rpm or 95 Hz, and 6000 rpm or 100 Hz;wherein the removable percussion attachment is made of plastic, foam,metal, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal; wherein back andforth percussion of the percussion attachment is realized by a pushingrod; wherein a bushing supportively directs and protects the pushingrod; wherein the pushing rod is connected to a motor through aconnecting rod and an eccentric wheel; wherein an Integrated Circuitboard for motor control will convert the power of a battery to themotor; wherein the user feels the back and forth percussion on theuser's skin from the device.

A method to provide physical therapy in the form of heating, coolingand/or percussion, comprising: a device that contains a battery, amotor, and a switch to turn the device on or off or put the device inheating mode or put the device in cooling mode or put the device inpercussion mode; wherein the device contains a motor and a pushing rodthat supply the movement that results in percussion of a removableheating/cooling attachment and a removable percussion attachment;wherein the front of the device connects to the removableheating/cooling attachment that contains an electronic component tocontrol heating or cooling and a cooling fan; wherein the removableheating/cooling attachment can be used for heating or cooling; wherein ahousing shell for the heating/cooling attachment is made of plastic,foam, or metal, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal; whereinthe front part of the heating/cooling attachment is made of metal thathas the capability to be in contact with human skin in order to provideeither heating or cooling at fixed or adjusted degrees that are optimalfor physical therapy and/or blood circulation; wherein the removableheating/cooling attachment can be replaced by the removable percussionattachment that is used for percussion; wherein the removable percussionattachment can be placed on the skin of a user in order to providepercussion therapy at fixed or adjusted speeds that are optimal forphysical therapy.

The method further comprising: wherein the device contains a removablebattery on the bottom of the device; wherein the device contains a knobfor adjustment of speed or intensity, and a button for angle adjustmentof the front of the device.

The method further comprising: wherein the removable heating/coolingattachment provides cooling at the fixed or adjusted degrees of 6degrees Celsius, 5 degrees Celsius, 4 degrees Celsius, 3 degreesCelsius, and 2 degrees Celsius; wherein the removable heating/coolingattachment also provides cooling through the clothing of the user at thefixed or adjusted temperatures of 1 degree Celsius, and 0 degreesCelsius.

The method further comprising: wherein the removable heating/coolingattachment provides heating at the fixed or adjusted degrees of 40degrees Celsius, 41 degrees Celsius, 42 degrees Celsius, 43 degreesCelsius, and 44 degrees Celsius; wherein the removable heating/coolingattachment also provides heating through the clothing of the user at thefixed or adjusted temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius through 75 degreesCelsius at 1 degree increments.

The method further comprising: wherein the removable percussionattachment provides percussion at the fixed or adjusted speeds 1200 rpmor 20 Hz, 1800 rpm or 30 Hz, 2400 rpm or 40 Hz, 3300 rpm or 55 Hz, 3900rpm or 65 Hz; wherein the removable percussion attachment also providespercussion at the fixed or adjusted speeds of 900 rpm or 15 Hz, 4500 rpmor 75 Hz, 5100 rpm or 85 Hz, 5700 rpm or 95 Hz, and 6000 rpm or 100 Hz.

The method further comprising: wherein back and forth percussion of thepercussion attachment is realized by a pushing rod; wherein a bushingsupportively directs and protects the pushing rod; wherein the pushingrod is connected to a motor through a connecting rod and an eccentricwheel; wherein an Integrated Circuit board for motor control willconvert the power of a battery to the motor; wherein the user feels theback and forth percussion on the user's skin from the device.

The method further comprising: wherein the removable percussionattachment is made of plastic, foam or metal.

The method further comprising: wherein the removable percussionattachment is made of any combination of plastic, foam and metal.

The method further comprising: wherein the device contains a removablebattery on the bottom of the device; wherein the removableheating/cooling attachment provides cooling at the fixed or adjusteddegrees of 6 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees Celsius, 4 degrees Celsius, 3degrees Celsius, and 2 degrees Celsius; wherein the removableheating/cooling attachment also provides cooling through the clothing ofthe user at the fixed or adjusted temperatures of 1 degree Celsius, and0 degrees Celsius; wherein the removable heating/cooling attachmentprovides heating at the fixed or adjusted degrees of 40 degrees Celsius,41 degrees Celsius, 42 degrees Celsius, 43 degrees Celsius, and 44degrees Celsius; wherein the removable heating/cooling attachment alsoprovides heating through the clothing of the user at the fixed oradjusted temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius through 75 degrees Celsiusat 1 degree increments; wherein the removable percussion attachmentprovides percussion at the fixed or adjusted speeds 1200 rpm or 20 Hz,1800 rpm or 30 Hz, 2400 rpm or 40 Hz, 3300 rpm or 55 Hz, 3900 rpm or 65Hz; wherein the removable percussion attachment also provides percussionat the fixed or adjusted speeds of 900 rpm or 15 Hz, 4500 rpm or 75 Hz,5100 rpm or 85 Hz, 5700 rpm or 95 Hz, and 6000 rpm or 100 Hz; whereinthe removable percussion attachment is made of plastic, foam, or metal,or any combination of plastic, foam and metal; wherein back and forthpercussion of the percussion attachment is realized by a pushing rod;wherein a bushing supportively directs and protects the pushing rod;wherein the pushing rod is connected to a motor through a connecting rodand an eccentric wheel; wherein an Integrated Circuit board for motorcontrol will convert the power of a battery to the motor; wherein theuser feels the back and forth percussion on the user's skin from thedevice. A physical therapy device to provide physical therapy in theform of heating, cooling and/or percussion, comprising: a device thatcontains a battery, a motor, a knob for adjustment of speed orintensity, a button for angle adjustment of the front of the therapydevice, and a switch to turn the physical therapy device on or off orput the physical therapy device in heating mode or put the physicaltherapy device in cooling mode or put the physical therapy device inpercussion mode; wherein the physical therapy device contains a motorand a pushing rod that supply the movement that results in percussion ofa removable heating/cooling attachment and a removable percussionattachment; wherein the front of the physical therapy device connects tothe removable heating/cooling attachment that contains an electroniccomponent to control heating or cooling and a cooling fan; wherein theremovable heating/cooling attachment can be used for heating or cooling;wherein a housing shell for the heating/cooling attachment is made ofplastic, foam, or metal, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal;wherein the front part of the heating/cooling attachment is made ofmetal that has the capability to be in contact with human skin in orderto provide either heating or cooling at fixed or adjusted degrees thatare optimal for physical therapy and/or blood circulation; wherein theremovable heating/cooling attachment can be replaced by the removablepercussion attachment that is used for percussion; wherein the removablepercussion attachment can be placed on the skin of a user in order toprovide percussion massage therapy at fixed or adjusted speeds that areoptimal for physical therapy; wherein the physical therapy devicecontains a removable battery on the bottom of the physical therapydevice; wherein the device contains a knob for adjustment of speed orintensity, and a button for angle adjustment of the front of the device;wherein the removable heating/cooling attachment provides cooling at thefixed or adjusted degrees of 6 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees Celsius, 4degrees Celsius, 3 degrees Celsius, and 2 degrees Celsius; wherein theremovable heating/cooling attachment also provides cooling through theclothing of the user at the fixed or adjusted temperatures of 1 degreeCelsius, and 0 degrees Celsius; wherein the removable heating/coolingattachment provides heating at the fixed or adjusted degrees of 40degrees Celsius, 41 degrees Celsius, 42 degrees Celsius, 43 degreesCelsius, and 44 degrees Celsius; wherein the removable heating/coolingattachment also provides heating through the clothing of the user at thefixed or adjusted temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius through 75 degreesCelsius at 1 degree increments; wherein the removable percussionattachment provides percussion at the fixed or adjusted speeds of 1200rpm or 20 Hz, 1800 rpm or 30 Hz, 2400 rpm or 40 Hz, 3300 rpm or 55 Hz,3900 rpm or 65 Hz; wherein the removable percussion attachment alsoprovides percussion at the fixed or adjusted speeds of 900 rpm or 15 Hz,4500 rpm or 75 Hz, 5100 rpm or 85 Hz, 5700 rpm or 95 Hz, and 6000 rpm or100 Hz; wherein the removable percussion attachment is made of plastic,foam, metal, or any combination of plastic, foam and metal; wherein backand forth percussion of the percussion attachment is realized by apushing rod; wherein a bushing supportively directs and protects thepushing rod; wherein the pushing rod is connected to a motor through aconnecting rod and an eccentric wheel; wherein an Integrated Circuitboard for motor control will convert the power of a battery to themotor; wherein the user feels the back and forth percussion on theuser's skin from the device.

Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown and describedin a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may bealtered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse orderor so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part,concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructionsor sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in anintermittent and/or alternating manner.

It should also be noted that at least some of the operations for themethods described herein may be implemented using software instructionsstored on a computer useable storage medium for execution by a computer.Embodiments of the invention can take the form of an entirely hardwareembodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment containingboth hardware and software elements. In one embodiment, the invention isimplemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware,resident software, microcode, etc.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention can take the form of acomputer program product accessible from a computer-usable orcomputer-readable storage medium providing program code for use by or inconnection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For thepurposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readablestorage medium can be any apparatus that can store the program for useby or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice.

The computer-useable or computer-readable storage medium can be anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system (or apparatus or device), or a propagation medium.Examples of a computer-readable storage medium include a semiconductoror solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magneticdisk, and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include acompact disk with read only memory (CD-ROM), a compact disk withread/write (CD-R/W), and a digital video disk (DVD).

An embodiment of a data processing system suitable for storing and/orexecuting program code includes at least one processor coupled directlyor indirectly to memory elements through a system bus such as a data,address, and/or control bus. The memory elements can include localmemory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulkstorage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at leastsome program code in order to reduce the number of times code must beretrieved from bulk storage during execution.

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening I/O controllers. Additionally, networkadapters also may be coupled to the system to enable the data processingsystem to become coupled to other data processing systems or remoteprinters or storage devices through intervening private or publicnetworks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are just a few of thecurrently available types of network adapters.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms orarrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of theinvention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

The present invention is described in the preceding on the basis ofseveral preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different variantsare considered to be described in combination with each other such thatall combinations that upon reading by a skilled person in the field onthe basis of this document can be regarded as being read within theconcept of the invent ion. The preferred embodiments do not limit theextent of protection of this document. The requested rights are laiddown in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A portable percussion massager comprising: a housing; amotor positioned within the housing that is rotatably coupled to aconnecting rod; a push rod coupled to the connecting rod for creating apercussive massage effect; and a temperature-controlled massageattachment coupled to the push rod at its end opposite attachment to theconnecting rod, the temperature-controlled massage attachment includesan attachment housing, the attachment housing having a heat sink and asemiconductor positioned within the attachment housing and furtherincluding a skin contact medium for covering the semiconductor toprevent direct contact by a user with the semiconductor.
 2. The portablepercussion massager of claim 1 where the temperature-controlled massageattachment is heated a predetermined temperature upon activation of thesemiconductor.
 3. The portable percussion massager device of claim 1where the temperature-controlled massage attachment, upon useractivation, heats or cools the semiconductor to at least twopredetermined temperatures.
 4. The portable percussion massager of claim1 where the temperature-controlled massage attachment is removablycoupled to the push rod.
 5. The portable percussion massager of claim 1where the massage attachment includes first electrical contacts andwhere the housing includes a jack having second electrical contacts forpairing with the first electrical contacts on the massage attachment tosupply power to the semiconductor within the temperature-controlledmassage attachment.
 6. The portable percussion massager of claim 1 wherethe temperature-controlled massage attachment and motor are electricallyconnected to the same power source.
 7. A massager having atemperature-controlled massage attachment, the massager comprising: amassager housing; a massage attachment coupled to the massager housing,where the massage attachment includes: an attachment housing havinglower and upper portion; a contact plate positioned on the upper portionof the attachment housing; a semiconductor plate positioned within theattachment housing below the contact plate for heating and cooling thecontact medium; and an indication display including at least one LEDpositioned on a mounting surface, where the indication displayilluminates light in a first color when the semiconductor plate isheating the contacting plate and a second color when the semiconductorplate is cooling the contact plate.
 8. The massager of claim 7 where theindication display is located on the massager housing.
 9. Thetemperature-controlled massage attachment of claim 7, where the at leastone LED is a multi-colored LED, where the at least one LED illuminatesin a first state when the semiconductor plate is heating the attachmentand second state when the Peltier plate is cooling the attachment. 10.The temperature-controlled massage attachment of claim 7 where thecontact medium is either heated or cooled by the semiconductor plate andwhere the at least one LED illuminates a first color when contact mediumis heated and a second color when the contact medium is cooled.
 11. Thetemperature-controlled massage attachment of claim 10, where the firstcolor is a shade of red and the second color is a shade of blue.
 12. Thetemperature-controlled massage attachment of claim 7, where the at leastone LED is a first LED that illuminates in a first color when thesemiconductor plate is heating the attachment and a second LED thatilluminates in a second color when the semiconductor plate is coolingthe attachment.
 13. The temperature-controlled massage attachment ofclaim 12, where the first color is a shade of red and the second coloris a shade of blue.
 14. A temperature-controlled massage attachment forremovable attachment to a percussion massager, the attachmentcomprising: an attachment housing having a lower and upper shell and atleast one electrical contact on lower shell of the attachment housing; aheating element positioned within the attachment housing, the heatingelement in communication with the at least one electrical contact; and askin contact medium positioned on the upper portion of the massageattachment.
 15. The temperature-controlled massage attachment of claim14, where the heating element is a semiconductor and both heats andcools the massage attachment.
 16. The temperature-controlled massageattachment of claim 14, further including a temperature sensor.
 17. Thetemperature-controlled massage attachment of claim 14, further includinga heat sink within the attachment housing.
 18. Thetemperature-controlled massage attachment of claim 14, further includinga fan positioned within the attachment housing in communication with theat least one electrical contact.
 19. The temperature-controlled massageattachment of claim 14, where the attachment housing includes vents fordissipating heat.
 20. A portable percussion massager comprising: ahousing; a motor within the housing driving a push rod; at least onetemperature-controlled massage attachment coupled to the push rod, thetemperature-controlled massage attachment including semiconductor toeither or both heat and cool the massage attachment.
 21. The portablepercussion massager of claim 20 where the temperature-controlled massageattachment is removably coupled to the push rod.
 22. The portablepercussion massager of claim 21 where the massage attachment includesfirst electric contacts and where the housing includes a jack forcoupling with the first electrical contacts on the massage attachment.23. The portable percussion massager of claim 20 where the housingfurther includes a power source.
 24. The portable percussion massager ofclaim 23 where the massage attachment and motor are electricallyconnected to the same power source.